UT Foodie Tastes Her Way Through Italy

Published: October 20, 2010

Francesca Coviello ’11 spends her days buying fresh spinach in the local
farmer’s market, tasting the famous Pecorino cheese and photographing
zucchini flowers. Studying food writing and photography at Apicius
International School of Hospitality in Florence, Italy, Coviello is
enjoying every morsel of her study abroad experience this semester.

“I
feel extremely privileged,” said Coviello, a senior communication major
who hopes the experience shapes her future as a food writer. “I am not
just taking these classes because they are appropriate in Italy and
fascinating subjects. Food is a passion of mine, and selecting these
courses was an obvious decision.”

Coviello was asked by UT’s Admissions Office to
blog
about her experience and is regularly posting the fruits of her
studies. From her delicious meals (spinach-and-ricotta-stuffed ravioli
with porcini mushrooms, cream and truffle oil) to the discoveries of new
flavors and cooking techniques, Coviello is doing what she loves –
eating and writing.

“Writing comes very easily to me, so writing
for a living would be the ultimate job, but I am also interested in the
production aspects of communications,” said Coviello, who dreams of
being the next Food Network star. “Being in Italy studying food
communications is a huge step toward my career in writing; it’s also a
tremendous growing opportunity for me transitioning into adulthood.”

Coviello’s
interest in food is familial. Her Italian grandfather married her
German grandmother who Coviello said learned to cook from her in-laws.

“I
have always been attracted to the simplicity and flavor of the Italian
food that I grew up eating,” said Coviello. “I have always loved
watching people cook and learning about different recipes and food
cultures.”

Coviello attended Oktoberfest in Munich, Germany,
this month, which provided a nice contrast to her Italian food studies.
Instead of pasta, she discovered Wiener Schnitzel and bratwurst. In one
blog entry, she described her experience searching for street food.

“I
had a foot-long bratwurst to start, and as the night progressed I
consumed French fries and a roasted half chicken. Using my fingers to
devour the tender, juicy meat while letting the grease smother my hands,
it was honestly the best tasting poultry I had ever had,” Coviello
wrote. “German food is very authentic at an event like Oktoberfest. It’s
almost impossible to find a bad meal, and there are plenty of hungry
people to feed.”

While in college and living off campus,
Coviello found joy in cooking for her roommates and friends. As a UT
student, she said she has taken a broad range of classes from
scriptwriting, documentary traditions, studio television and digital
arts, which encouraged her to find a concentration she could be
passionate about.

“Food is universal, both wanted and needed
everywhere by everyone,” Coviello said. “For me, it’s not just about
writing how something tastes; it’s about sharing the sensations and
surroundings revolving around an individual dish or entire meal.”

Coviello
remains in Florence until Dec. 19, and will return home to New York
right before the holidays. Follow her adventures on the blog
A Spartan Abroad
.